Interesting words today from John Broadus. (19th century Baptist preacher) “In the strict and proper sense, it is not our duty to forgive a man unless he repents. . .’If he (your brother) turns and says, I repent, you shall forgive him.’ (Luke 17:4) It is not right that you should restore a man to the confidence he forfeited unless he proves himself worthy of it. . .We are, however, to love him. (Matthew 5:44) We need not, and really should not forgive him in the full sense while he remains impenitent. . .but we must bear him no malice, we must do him no harm, in fact, do him good in anything that will not promote his evil designs against us. In this way, we become the sons of our Father in Heaven.” Is it possible to LOVE a person you have not FULLY FORGIVEN? Is the prodigal son our example?
